Posts Tagged ‘thriller’

Rishi Bhutani will be making his Bollywood debut with Shree Keshav Films’ Bolo Raam which is releasing this New Year eve — December 31. The new kid on the Bollywood block is pretty sure that everyone’s going to love his acting skills. “Acting is in my veins,” says Rishi. Rishi promises that Bolo Raam will be a gripping thriller.

Starring Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Padmini Kolhapure, the film’s being produced by Rishi’s elder brother Goldy, and has been written and directed by debutant director Rakkesh Chaturvedi ‘Om’, who is a well known theatre artist. “After reading the script and knowing the cast, I felt that this is that character with which I want to start my career,” says Rishi.
Rishi plays Raam in the movie. Speaking about the movie, Rishi adds, “It’s about a mother and son. The mother is mysteriously murdered leaving the son in a cage of silence.” Rishi, of course, plays the quiet son, Raam. He credits his brother, Goldy for pushing him into it. “He was the one who said I had the talent, and motivated me to be an actor,” says the actor who used to bunk classes to take part in school theatre.

Rishi admits that he was a bit nervous when the shooting began. He says, “But Naseer Sir, Om Puri Sir and Padmini Maa’m made me feel comfortable. I would say it has been a dream role for me as I got an opportunity to work with legends of our industry and that too in my first film, I had never thought about it. I hope that audiences like the film.”

Producer Goldy Bhutani adds, “I thank Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Padmini Kolhapure for coming together for this project and would say that Rakkesh has done some excellent work as a director. It is a must watch film for everyone to know how circumstances take over the good times.”

MEENA IYER Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; November 28, 2009)

Pratik who shot to fame with Aamir Khan’s Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na last year, has been signed by filmmakers Sanjay Leela Bhansali for a comedy and Rohan Sippy for a thriller respectively. Clearly Raj Babbar and Smita Patil’s son is now in the A-league. For the boy who is described “as a natural born actor” by Rohan, there was a sense of deja vu when he signed on the Sippys’s film. “It was only after I met Ramesh Sippy (Rohan’s dad) did I know that he had directed my mother and Amitabh Bachchan in Shakti. I just watched Shakti and I must say, not only was it a brilliant film, the chemistry between Mom and Mr Bachchan was amazing.” While Rohan adds that his coming together with Pratik is a small moment in film history because as Gen-Now both he and Pratik have the responsibility of a legacy to carry forward.
Pratik says, “My filmmakers be it Sanjay Leela or Rohan will do all the talking about their films. I’m under a contract and unable to say much.”

The star son, however, clears the air about a controversy that said he kept Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan waiting on the sets of Kiran Rao’s Dhobi Ghat because he was holidaying in Goa. “I haven’t been to Goa in five years,” says Pratik. “I may be young, restless and even stupid but I would never keep a senior actor like Aamir waiting.” Brickbats be damned, then. It will rain bouquets in Pratik’s backyard on his birthday, today!

Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s production Crooked is set to go on the floors from January 14 next year. However, the Abhishek Bachchan starrer has no lead actress as Aishwarya, who was supposed to do the film, opted out citing date problems.

Her dates for Crooked were colliding with Vipul Shah’s Action Replay. Since Action Replay is inching towards completion, Aishwarya had to give it priority, leaving her with no choice but to opt out of Crooked, directed by Abhinay Deo. It is a thriller which will be shot at different foreign locales.

Meanwhile, Farhan’s other production directed by Zoya Akhtar featuring Hrithik Roshan, Farhan and Abhay Deol is also stuck as it has no lead actress. The film’s shooting starts from April 5 in Spain. Ritesh says, “We are now looking for a completely new face in Crooked, which actually requires three new girls. We also need a fresh face either from London or New York for Hrithik in Zoya’s film.”

Farhan says, “Hrithik has been a true friend. I start directing Don 2 from September 2010, so Zoya’s film had to be completed before that. Hrithik adjusted his dates accordingly.”

“I’ve a good feeling about it,” he told me. We were talking on the phone because he’s here, there and everywhere promoting the film, and just not available in Mumbai.

Tuesday he was in Delhi, yesterday London, next Dubai. “There’s more to life than shooting,” he sighed. In the background, I could hear Kareena prompting his replies. They’re not doing all the promotions together, because she’s busy making Stepmom with Karan at the same time, and Saif… well, after this he swore he’s taking a month off in December to “train and get into serious shape” before they start shooting for his home production Agent Vinod. His idea of training is not the same as Aamir’s or, say, Salman’s.
“I won’t get a funda trainer… but just kill myself in the gym. It’ll be a combo of yoga and weights. You don’t need a NASA scientist to get a great body,” he chortled.

He’s worked with Karan before in Kal Ho Na Ho, but that time, the filmmaker was completely involved in every aspect of the film. This time, Karan has left it to director Rensil D’Silva. “So the film’s got its own flavour,” explained Saif, “Rensil has brought his ad world sensibilities to Kurbaan, and this is not a filmi kind of movie… it’s a love story and thriller with a socio-politically relevant background. When I step back and see the promos, the posters, I’m like – wow!” Which means he’s confident about what it will do at the box-office. “But there’s also the risk of an off-screen couple being boring on-screen,” he admitted.

“Which means Bebo and I have to choose our roles carefully. We’ve got to present an exciting avatar on-screen… more than the usual pairing. And that we have done in this film. I was equally confident about Love Aaj Kal (his last film and first home production)… but there were moments of panic as well then. In this business, it’s tough to be consistent about your emotions. I can’t be like a rock. I go through ambivalence.”

There’s a lot riding for Kareena, as well, in Kurbaan… especially since her last film Main Aur Mrs Khanna, and Kambakht Ishq before that, didn’t exactly do much for her at the box-office. Saif, aware that she is listening to our conversation, defended his co-star and love. “I preferred her in Jab We Met,” he said cleverly.

“And I thought she looked stunning in Kambakht Ishq. It was a clever attempt at a commercial potboiler. Akshay was very funny. But people discuss Kambakth Ishq as if it was of great national importance. It was a fun film. Main Aur Mrs Khanna… I’m not sure, I saw a rough print, I don’t watch too many films, I’m not an authority… it was a sweet film, I don’t know what to say, baba! I think she chooses all kinds of films. She covers the entire spectrum of Hindi cinema in her choices… not all of them for the best! She’s done Kambakht Ishq and Main Aur Mrs Khanna this year, now she’s got Kurbaan, then 3 Idiots, and she’s working on Stepmom… all different. I think she works more for the audience than herself!”

They’ve worked together in Tashan earlier. The film, well, was disastrous… but it brought them close. Was Kareena different as an actress then, I asked. Saif hummed and hawed, then safely replied, “The same… she’s focused and a sensitive artiste, very concentrated. Also great fun to work with. I had just a couple of scenes with her in Tashan. So Kurbaan is really my first experience with her. There are few people I’ve met who are more passionate about their work. And I’m impressed with that. It’s not just about giving your shot… her knowledge of cinema is great and all round, and she has a deep interest, which I find very cool.”

Naturally, there must have been joys and pains in working with her. I pictured him giving her a backward glance then saying, “No pains, being together, creating something special, watching each other at work… those were the joys. I normally don’t have to worry about my co-star’s moods because I’ve not been so deeply involved with a co-star. But here we were connected. So I had to take time… to get comfortable… to find my own space… to figure out what to do between shots, how to unwind, I mean… we didn’t have to be together all the time. It’s a bit like working with your mom… she knows you so well, there’s no scope of impressing her!

” So, who’s your favourite actress, I asked Saif Ali Khan, the artful dodger. “Suchitra Sen, Zeenat Aman, Madhubala…” he began. Then, “Oh, you mean who I’ve worked with… I don’t know what to say… I’ve not worked with too many… but Rani’s a great co-star and Kareena’s fab… but my favourite actress, hmmm…” And Kareena Kapoor replied for him from the background, “Monica Bedi!”

Ram Gopal Varma finally settled for Neeru Bajwa, when Mallika Sherawat failed to respond to his offer to star in Phoonk 2

By Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 03, 2009)

Neeru Bajwa

Mallika Sherawat

Ram Gopal Varma has quietly begun shooting for the sequel to Phoonk, titled Phoonk 2. However, his dream of casting Mallika Sherawat hasn’t materialised. Punjabi actress Neeru Bajwa has stepped into Mallika’s shoes. Milind Gadagkar, who was an associate with Ramu in Phoonk, is directing the film.

Neeru was Ramu’s third choice. Before Neeru came into the picture, Ramu had cast a newcomer, Adin.

A source says, “Adin , who shot for two days, threw a lot of tantrums, angering Ramu in the bargain.”

Neeru confirmed the news. She says, “Yes, I am doing Phoonk 2. However, I cannot divulge what role I play in the film. Phoonk 2 is a thriller and I have been strictly told not to reveal anything about the story.”

We wonder if Vivek Oberoi, who is reported to be close to her (Mumbai Mirror, Oct 14), has anything to do with Neeru doing Ramu’s film? After all Vivek is currently Ramu’s blue-eyed boy. Ask her that and she retorts, “Gosh! Tomorrow, you’ll say that Vivek recommended me to Dharma Productions because he is doing Karan Johar’s Kurbaan.”

Abhishek Bachchan stands by his friend Rohan Sippy; will act in a film that the latter is co-producing

By Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 13, 2009)

Abhishek Bachchan and Rohan Sippy have been best friends and have worked together in films like Kuch Na Kaho and Bluffmaster. Now they are aiming for a hat-trick with their third film, which will go on the floors in January. Incidentally, Abhishek, who had committed to a film with T-Series, will keep his word as the film will be a joint production between Ramesh Sippy and Bhushan Kumar.

Our source said, “Both Abhishek and Amitabh Bachchan were committed to a film with T-Series. Back then, Priyadarshan was supposed to make the film, however T-Series went ahead with Bhool Bhulaiya. After that, Amitabh too opted out as his dates were blocked. However, Abhishek has kept his word and now that Rohan Sippy is ready with his untitled thriller, talks are on to make it a joint production. This way, Abhishek will be able to fulfill both – his commitment made to T-Series as well as his buddy Rohan.”

Rohan Sippy confirmed the story, but was not forthcoming about the joint venture. He said, “Yes, we are set to start the film in December end or January. Everything is locked and we are in the process of finalising the ensemble cast. However, as far as the tie-up with T-Series is concerned, my father (Ramesh Sippy) is the best person to answer the question. As far as I know, we are surely doing the music with them and Pritam is the music director.”

Speaking about the film, Rohan said, “It has an interesting mix of actors with Abhishek in the lead. It is a thriller.”

Bhushan Kumar of T-Series said, “Talks are on for a joint production, but nothing is finalised as of now. The only decision we have taken is that we will be doing the music of the film.”

Danny Boyle’s Bombay Velvet might star Shah Rukh Khan. With Aamir Khan also starring in the film, it will be nothing short of a casting coup

By Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 14, 2009)

Aamir Khan

Shah Rukh Khan

After apparently signing Aamir Khan for his forthcoming film, Bombay Velvet, buzz is that Danny Boyle is now in the process of signing Shah Rukh Khan. It will be nothing short of a casting coup if Boyle manages to get the two superstars together. Incidentally, Boyle had earlier offered Anil Kapoor’s role in Slumdog Millionaire to Shah Rukh Khan but things hadn’t worked out then.

Like his hugely successful Slumdog Millionaire, Danny Boyle’s next is also based on the city of Mumbai. It is a thriller period film set in the 1940s to be directed by Anurag Kashyap. The film, based on real incidents, is expected to go on the floors next year.

Danny Boyle

The film has three parts with a new actor playing the lead in the second part while Aamir will be the protagonist in the third part. If sources are to be believed, Boyle had been looking for a lead actor for the first part and decided to get Shah Rukh Khan on board. The filmmaker and actor are in advanced stages of discussion and if all goes well, SRK will soon sign on the dotted line.

Boyle had discussed the film with director Anurag Kashyap during the release of Slumdog Millionaire.